Disposable, Sterile, Windowed Surgical Gown

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are garments, systems and methods for enabling surgeons and other medical staff to aseptically interact with smart devices, control systems of other medical equipment, or printed materials. The garment comprises a garment body or gown, a pair of sleeves affixed to the gown, a plurality of openings disposed on the garment body, the sleeves, or a combination thereof and a plurality of transparent windows affixed over the plurality of openings. The garment also comprises means for retaining electronic devices or printed materials behind the transparent windows. This apparatus may further comprise one or more internal and/or external sleeves through which to insert the electronic devices or printed materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 61/981,765, filed Apr. 19, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical garments, apparatus and procedures. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and garments for wearing, visualizing and interacting with electronic devices in a sterile manner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Surgical gowns are critical for aseptic operations since they serve as barriers between the surgeons or other medical staff and the patients' body fluids, open wounds or internal organs. Thus, restricted rules for sterility of surgical gowns are necessary. Currently, most surgical gowns are disposable, usually made from sterilized impermeable paper although there are some reusable surgical gowns made from impermeable sterile cloth or cloth-like materials.

Entering the operating room, a surgeon follows a series protocols to ensure maintenance of a sterile environment in the operation theater. First, the surgeon puts on non-sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, caps, and shoe covers, and then he scrubs his arms from the hand to the elbow, and inserts his arms into the sterile gown, either picking it up from specifically designated areas inside the gown that will not be exposed to the exterior or, more often, a sterile gown is held up in front of the surgeon by a scrub technician who has already scrubbed and placed on her sterile equipment. As the surgeon's hands go through and leave the end of the gown sleeves, a pair of sterile gloves are immediately put on. These gloves extend above the exposed skin onto the end of the gown's sleeve, providing a continuous sterile surface from the tip of the surgeon's fingers to the shoulder and down to the waist. Although the surgeon scrubs their skin to reduce the chance of infection should a glove or gown be compromised, overall the sterility of the operation is guaranteed by the surgical gown. The final step in adorning the gown is having a nurse or assistant tie the back of the surgical gown, after which the surgeon passes a disposable card to anyone in the operating room so he can spin, wrapping himself completely in the sterile gown and tying it. Once scrubbed in, the chest, upper abdomen, and arms of the surgeon is considered sterile.

During a surgery, if a surgeon touches a non-sterile area of the table or his or another person's gown or mask or anything in the room not prepared to be sterile, he is considered to have “broken scrub” which refers to a sterile technique failure creating the possibility for contamination. In minor cases, a glove can be changed or a replacement sleeve placed over compromised areas of the gown. In more serious cases, the wearer has to leave the operating room, re-scrub, and return to be re-gowned and re-gloved.

With increased involvement of smart electronic devices and other wireless control technologies in the medical field, there appear to be foreseeable benefits to use smart electronic, or other control systems. More specifically, the use of personal communication devices in the operating room, and, more importantly, with the advent of smart devices could allow the surgeon to be in direct control of numerous systems in the operating room such as laparoscopic tower devices, room thermostats and lights, the operative table, hand held cameras contained in sterile containers, or other platforms existing or yet to be developed that play a role in surgery.

Current surgical gowns, however, do not allow for convenient use while maintaining the gown sterile. In some cases, a nurse or circulator (nurse assisting with the case from outside of the operative field) must make adjustments to controls of the equipment. When devices are draped in plastic, there is no desirable way to interact with a pager or cell phone except blindly through the gown. Often a surgeon has to lift a device out of a pocket or belt and drop it to the floor for the nurse to pick it up, or a surgeon might place his devices on a table so the nurse can work with them for him. While some devices, such as the laparoscopic camera, have control systems on instruments that are sterilized, they generally only provide a few buttons requiring numerous presses to perform functions.

Thus, there is a recognized need, for an apparatus configured to allow surgeons to quickly visualize and access personal communication devices, smart devices and other control systems without contaminating the surgical gown. The prior art is deficient in this respect. The present invention fulfills this long standing need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a garment for wearing, viewing and interacting with electronic devices or printed materials under sterile conditions during a surgical procedure. This garment comprises a garment body; a pair of sleeves affixed to the garment body; a plurality of openings disposed on the garment body, the sleeves, or a combination thereof; a plurality of transparent windows affixed over the plurality of openings, each in a covering relationship with the openings; and means for retaining electronic devices or printed materials behind the transparent windows.

The present invention is also directed to a surgical garment, comprising a surgical gown; a plurality of openings disposed on the surgical gown; a plurality of transparent windows disposed on the surgical gown in a covering relationship with the openings thereon; and a means for retaining electronic devices or printed materials behind the transparent windows.

The present invention is further directed to a system for interacting with smart devices or surgical devices during a surgical procedure, comprising the garment described supra; and one or more of the smart devices or controls of the surgical devices disposed behind the transparent windows on the garment such that an operating surface of the device are touch accessible to one wearing the garment.

The present invention is also directed to a method for improving the operation of surgical devices by medical personnel during a surgical procedure, comprising positioning one or more of a smart device or other controls of the surgical devices in the garment comprising the system described supra; donning the garment; and accessing the operating surface of the device or other controls through the transparent windows via touch to operate the surgical devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others that will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.

FIG. 1 depicts the surgical garment with transparent windows affixed to the arm portion and body portion of the gown and illustrating the positioning of internal and/or external sleeves.

FIG. 2 is an image of the garment illustrating an electronic device in place on the left sleeve of the gown and a badge in a chest pocket.

FIG. 3 is a full body image of the garment shown in FIG. 2 further illustrating the arrangement of an internal sleeve, pocket and transparent window on the right sleeve of the gown

FIG. 4 depicts a scenario where the wearer of the garment interacts with medical software on a smart phone positioned behind the window on the left arm portion of the surgical gown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein in the specification, “a” or “an” may mean one or more. As used herein in the claim(s), when used in conjunction with the word “comprising”, the words “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one.

As used herein “another” or “other” may mean at least a second or more of the same or different claim element or components thereof. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “Comprise” means “include.”

As used herein, the term “about” refers to a numeric value, including, for example, whole numbers, fractions, and percentages, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numerical values (e.g., +/−5-10% of the recited value) that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (e.g., having the same function or result). In some instances, the term “about” may include numerical values that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a garment for wearing, viewing and interacting with electronic devices or printed materials under sterile conditions during a surgical procedure, comprising a garment body; a pair of sleeves affixed to the garment body; a plurality of openings disposed on the garment body, the sleeves, or a combination thereof; a plurality of transparent windows affixed over the plurality of openings, each in a covering relationship with the openings; and a means for retaining electronic devices behind the transparent windows.

In this embodiment, representative retaining means include but are not limited to pockets disposed behind the transparent windows, external straps, elastic bands, or ties. In this embodiment, the garment further comprises internal or external sleeves affixed to the body portion of the surgical gown such that the pockets are accessible through the internal or external sleeves. An electronic device is placed in the pockets through the internal or external sleeves.

In a preferred embodiment, the transparent window is sewn, sonic welded, glued, otherwise affixed over the opening, or otherwise incorporated into a material of the garment body or garment sleeves. The transparent windows and openings on the garment body and sleeves have substantially the same surface area as an operating surface of the electronic device. The operating surface can be a touch screen, an operating panel, or a combination thereof. Representative electronic devices include but are not limited to smart electronic devices, medical device control systems, or a combination thereof. Representative printed material include but not limited to an identification badge, printed surgical instructions, a paper note, printed instructions for medical devices or other printed matter.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a surgical garment, comprising a surgical gown; a plurality of openings disposed on the surgical gown; a plurality of transparent windows disposed on the surgical gown in a covering relationship with the openings thereon; and a means for retaining electronic devices or printed matters behind the transparent windows.

In this embodiment, the surgical gown comprises a body portion and a pair of sleeves affixed thereon. The transparent windows and openings on the garment body and sleeves may have substantially the same surface area as an operating surface of the electronic device. The operating surface is a touch screen, an operating panel, or a combination thereof.

In this embodiment, the transparent window may be affixed to the surgical gown via sewing, sonic welding or gluing. The retaining means include but are not limited to pockets disposed behind the transparent windows, external straps, elastic bands, or ties. In a preferred embodiment, the surgical garment further comprises internal or external sleeves affixed to the body portion of the surgical gown such that the pockets are accessible through the internal or external sleeves. In this embodiment, representative electronic devices include but are not limited to smart electronic devices or medical device control systems. Representative printed material includes but not limited to an identification badge, printed surgical instructions, a paper note, printed instructions for medical devices or other printed matter.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for interacting with smart devices or surgical devices during a surgical procedure. The system comprises the garment described supra; and one or more of the smart devices or controls of the surgical devices disposed behind the transparent windows on the garment such that an operating surface of the device is touch accessible to one wearing the garment. In this embodiment, representative medical devices include but are not limited to a laparoscopic tower device, a surgical theater thermostat, a shadowless lamp, a camera, a surgical table, or a combination thereof. Representative smart device include but are not limited to a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a smart watch.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for improving operation of surgical devices by medical personnel during a surgical procedure. The method comprises the steps of positioning one or more of a smart device or other controls of the surgical devices in the garment comprising the system described supra; donning the garment; and accessing the operating surface of the device or other controls through the transparent windows via touch to operate the surgical devices.

Currently, there are a number of devices designed to protect electronics from the environment such as cases and plastic covers. The garment or surgical garment provided herein is designed to enable surgeons to quickly visualize and access personal communication devices, smart devices with touch screens or gesture interfaces, or with wireless or wired control systems to control perioperative equipment. Particularly, the transparent windows comprising the garment enables a surgeon to see and interact with touch screen devices or pagers placed or otherwise secured behind the transparent windows.

The sleeves on the gown comprising the transparent windows enable surgeons to interact quickly with a touch screen, push button, or similar controls on their arm. The gown sleeves comprise an insertion location to an internal and/or external sleeve in an area of the gown that is not required to be sterile such that the nurse or assistant can insert wired or wireless devices allowing them to move down the internal sleeve of the gown to rest behind the accessible touch screen-friendly transparent window located at the forearm of the gown sleeve. This allows a surgeon to remain sterile with his arm located inside the gown and isolated from the internal and/or external sleeves because the outside of the sterile gown is not in contact with the interior of the internal or external sleeve. This provides a level of interactivity with technology for the surgeons not possible with today's gowns. It also reduces the risk or necessity of a break scrub in sterile technique as surgeons attempt to interact with technology using sterile towels or instruments to manipulate non-sterile devices. Such access provides surgeons with a convenient interface to control wearable technology where the need for sterile technique prevents the normal interfacing via hands or digits to control some aspects of the device.

As described below, the invention provides a number of advantages and uses, however such advantages and uses are not limited by such description. Embodiments of the present invention are better illustrated with reference to the Figure(s), however, such reference is not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The embodiments and variations described in detail herein are to be interpreted by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a garment or surgical garment that comprises a paper or fabric gown 1 having a pair of gown or outer sleeves affixed thereto. The gown comprises one or more of a plurality of transparent plastic windows 2 a,b,c on the outside of the gown sleeves, internal and/or external sleeves 3 a, 3 b (not shown), placed in or on one or both gown sleeves and an internal or external sleeve 3 c disposed on the gown body in the area of a pocket on a shirt. The internal and/or external sleeves each have an insertion location 3 d, 3 e (not shown), 3 f through which the device or object is inserted for positioning behind the transparent windows. The gown and gown sleeves comprise pockets 4 a, 4 b (not shown), 4 c that allow placement of wires and/or electronic devices behind the transparent plastic windows and are accessible via the internal and/or external sleeves.

The garment thus allows the wearer to not only visualize any interface on their target electronic device, but also to interact with it. At the same time, the gown continues to function as a sterile protective barrier between the wearer and their environment, for example, but not limited to, the operating field. The entire garment may be sterilized with, but not limited to, ethylene oxide (EO) processes which are currently implemented in surgical garment sterilization prior to packaging and use.

The garment of the present invention may be constructed or assembled via sewing or through other means of seam creation such as sonic welding or gluing. The garment in one embodiment comprises one or more transparent plastic windows covering openings on the gown's sleeves as well as a transparent plastic window positioned over an opening on the left chest where the traditional shirt chest pocket is. Alternatively, this feature may be offered separately. Additional transparent plastic windows may be built, sewn or affixed into other parts of the gown as desired during production. In one embodiment of the garment, the transparent plastic windows may be shaped to house specific devices. In conjunction with the transparent plastic windows, the garment may also have an internal sleeve disposed down one or both gown sleeves through which electronic equipment may be placed to position them behind the transparent windows without contaminating the gown or the wearer. The transparent window may comprise an ethylene oxide (EO) sterilizable plastic, which is attached, sewn, affixed or otherwise secured to the sleeve and/or body of the gown allowing visualization of electronics or other items within either the gown “pocket” formed behind the transparent windows or on the wearer themselves.

In one embodiment the novel garment may comprise external, sterile Velcro straps, elastic bands, ties or another means of securing around the arms to secure the contents of the pocket within the transparent window. Alternatively, gripping or fastening material may be used inside the pocket to augment securing.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows a member of the medical staff, for example, a surgeon, wearing the garment 1, which has a badge 6 retained in the pocket 4 a behind the transparent window 2 a on the chest area of the gown and a smart device 5 retained pocket 4 b behind the transparent window 2 b disposed on one of the sleeves of the gown.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows an empty pocket 4 c formed by an internal sleeve 3 c behind transparent window 2 c on the left sleeve of the gown 1. Also depicted is the placement of the smart phone 5 behind the transparent window 2 b on the right sleeve and the badge 6 placed in pocket 4 a as in FIG. 2.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-3, FIG. 4 further demonstrates the utility of the garment. The wearer 7 of the garment is touching the screen of the smart device 5 through the transparent window 2 b while keeping his gloved hand sterile during the process.

The present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment for wearing, viewing and interacting with electronic devices or printed materials under sterile conditions during a surgical procedure, comprising: a garment body; a pair of sleeves affixed to the garment body; a plurality of openings disposed on the garment body, the sleeves, or a combination thereof; a plurality of transparent windows affixed over the plurality of openings, each in a covering relationship with the openings; and means for retaining electronic devices behind said transparent windows.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the retaining means are pockets disposed behind said transparent windows, external straps, elastic bands, or ties.
 3. The garment of claim 2, further comprising internal or external sleeves affixed to the body portion of the surgical gown such that said pockets are accessible through the internal or external sleeves.
 4. The garment of claim 3, wherein said electronic device is placed in said pockets through said internal or external sleeves.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein said transparent window is sewn, sonic welded, glued, otherwise affixed over the opening, or otherwise incorporated into a material of said garment body or garment sleeves.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein said transparent windows and openings on the garment body and sleeves have substantially the same surface area as an operating surface of said electronic device.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein said operating surface is a touch screen, an operating panel, or a combination thereof.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein said electronic devices are smart electronic devices, medical device control systems, or a combination thereof.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein said printed material is an identification badge, printed surgical instructions, a paper note, printed instructions for medical devices or other printed matter.
 10. A surgical garment, comprising: a surgical gown; a plurality of openings disposed on the surgical gown; a plurality of transparent windows disposed on the surgical gown in a covering relationship with said openings thereon; means for retaining electronic devices, or printed matters behind said transparent windows.
 11. The surgical garment of claim 10, wherein said surgical gown comprises a body portion and a pair of sleeves affixed thereon.
 12. The surgical garment of claim 10, wherein said transparent windows and openings on the garment body and sleeves have substantially the same surface area as an operating surface of said electronic device.
 13. The surgical garment of claim 12, wherein said operating surface is a touch screen, an operating panel, or a combination thereof.
 14. The surgical garment of claim 10, wherein said transparent window is affixed to the surgical gown via sewing, sonic welding or gluing.
 15. The surgical garment of claim 10, wherein said retaining means are pockets disposed behind the transparent windows, external straps, elastic bands, or ties.
 16. The surgical garment of claim 15, further comprising internal or external sleeves affixed to the body portion of the surgical gown such that said pockets are accessible through the internal or external sleeves.
 17. The surgical garment of claim 12, wherein said electronic devices are smart electronic devices or medical device control systems.
 18. The surgical garment of claim 10, wherein said printed matter is an identification badge, a paper note, printed surgical instructions, or printed instructions for medical devices.
 19. A system for interacting with smart devices or surgical devices during a surgical procedure, comprising: the garment of claim 1; and one or more of the smart devices or controls of the surgical devices disposed behind the transparent windows on the garment such that an operating surface of said device is touch accessible to one wearing the garment.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said medical device is a laparoscopic tower device, a surgical theater thermostat, a shadowless lamp, a camera, a surgical table or a combination thereof.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein said smart device is a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a smart watch.
 22. A method for improving operation of surgical devices by medical personnel during a surgical procedure, comprising: positioning one or more of a smart device or other controls of the surgical devices in the garment comprising the system of claim 20; donning the garment; and accessing the operating surface of said device or other controls through the transparent windows via touch to operate the surgical devices. 